Bay Trail: Two Strikes

Way back on December 12, it was a fairly nice Sunday and we decided to get out. We didn't want to go on a big trip and I commented that I'd read about Baylands Preserve on the city's website. I looked it up and there were several paths. There was a long running one and some loops that circled back around.

Mom: Look, this loop is one mile, sound about right for the kids.
Dad: Sounds good, let's go.

The walk itself wasn't all that great. We're used to walking through metroparks with lots of towering trees. This was a walk through marshland that was dried out, being December and all. There were ducks and others walking around, but nothing too exciting to see.

After walking for an hour we realized that we'd definitely missed the turn to stay on the loop and were on the long path called Bay Trail that connected Baylands Preserve to Shoreline Park. It was oddly deceiving because the entire time we were walking we could see another trail running perpendicular to us up a hill. We thought we'd connect to that trail but never did.

The kids were falling apart at that point. Xander was tired of walking and we were tired of carrying him. Josie was tired of being in the back pack but refused to walk on the trail and in the direction we were walking. So we debated what to do. Chris said we were closer to Shoreline Park and we just headed that direction. We discussed how to handle getting the car and I started looking up a cab company on my handy phone when Chris boldly walked up to a woman walking two little dogs and asked her to give me a ride to the other park.

She kindly agreed and it within twenty minutes we were all loaded up and heading home, chuckling about the mistake.

Fast forward to this past Saturday, March 12. We decided to walk on a different part of the Bay Trail starting at Shoreline Park. We didn't bother with strollers or back packs this time, instead we just took our leisurely time and let the kids explore. The grass and reeds were all green and grown in, we had to stop several times just so the kids could wave their arms through them. Ducks, seagulls and other birds were everywhere, Josie repeatedly quacked at them. We stayed awhile by a small area that had sail boats and paddle boats where Xander insisted on reading every sign (and by 'read' I mean that he and Chris sounded out every word).

As we headed back, Chris suddenly took off running ahead of us. I didn't see it happen, but he saw an older woman come down a small incline on a scooter and wreck on the path ahead of us. Before I even realized what was happening Xander asked "Is she okay?" Chris helped her up to sitting but she was clearly groggy and as I approached with the kids I could see blood on her face and knuckles.

This was one of the few times I didn't have tissues or wipes with me so Chris asked some people walking by who also stopped to help. I had the kids sit down next to the path (and they listened really well!), pulled the woman's scooter aside and helped her remove her purse because blood was actually dripping down her face.

The woman kept refusing help but she still seemed shaky and was still bleeding. Chris finally just reached under his shirt and ripped his undershirt to hold on a gash by her eye. We think her sunglasses actually caused that one. She said she was going to walk to her son but Chris insisted on walking with her.

Xander, Josie and I headed back along the path to the car. Xander asked again if the woman was going to be okay. I told him yes and reminded him that accidents happen and he should always wear his helmet. He proceeded to point out everyone who passed us on a bike and if they were wearing a helmet or not. I suppose it's a good way to get the point across.

The kids took their time on the path and I wasn't in a hurry to beat Chris to the car, so the woman, her son and Chris actually caught up to us by the end. Her bleeding seemed better and she was definitely coherent but her son was still going to take her to urgent care.

At that point Xander made a comment about how she should wear a helmet. Yikes.